How Do Authors Plan For Success?

 

The mind of a writer can create amazing books, developing whole worlds out of his or her mind. But that same skill or talent can be used to sabotage the author into thinking there’s no hope for the marketing of their book when initial efforts fail to produce much.  

I call upon authors to use their creativity to turn against failure or the accepting of weak excuses. Their marketing didn’t land their books atop the New York Times Bestseller list, but that is no reason to close up shop.  

Authors must look inward and ask of themselves these questions: 

 

• What do I want to accomplish?
• What will it take to get there?
• Am I willing to do what it takes to get there?
• What steps should I take today?
• And tomorrow?
• And the next day?
• What are my strengths that can be milked?
• What are my weaknesses that I can compensate for?
• What opportunities are in front of me?
• What threatens my success?
• Who can help me?

 

Authors need to do the following:

 

• Make a plan to market a book and a writer’s brand.
• Take action- now, tomorrow, and always. 
• Set expectations and goals that can be measured.
• Reflect on progress and set new goals as needed.
• Make changes as you go and adapt to circumstances.
• Set a budget of time that you can dedicate to marketing.
• Have a budget for how much money you can spend on public relations.

When you try something, such as advertising, social media, or speaking, and you feel you are not getting the type of results that you expect, analyze why. Do not except simple excuses or echo common complaints. Figure out what could be improved, altered, removed, or added to position you to break through.   

For instance, did you:  

·         Merely email only two or three bookstores to inquire about setting up a book signing, or did you also call them, stop by in a person, or try snail mail?

·         Did you try 10 more places and alter your pitch or presentation? 

·         Did you ask for feedback on why they ignored you or declined to work with you?

Try harder, be smarter, for longer. Even when you get a “no”  try to contest it. When all else fails, learn from the rejection. Chalk it up to experience. Then try again. And again. No excuses!  

Contact For Help

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in helping thousands of authors in all genres.

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2021. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.